Ottawa Charge loses Emerance Maschmeyer, Danielle Serdachny in PWHL expansion signing window

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On the first day of an exclusive free-agent signing window for the PWHL’s two newest franchises in Seattle and Vancouver, the Ottawa Charge lost their first two pieces of the expansion process.

Goaltender and foundational signing Emerance Maschmeyer signed a two-year deal with PWHL Vancouver, while forward and 2024 second-overall pick Danielle Serdachny signed a two-year pact with PWHL Seattle.

Maschmeyer, 30, becomes the first goalie to commit to one of the expansion teams and the third player to sign with Vancouver. Serdachny, 24, becomes Seattle’s second signing in franchise history after Hilary Knight.

According to the league’s expansion rules, once a team loses two players to expansion, it can protect a fourth player in addition to the three players protected on Tuesday.

Shortly after the signings of Maschmeyer and Serdachny were made official, Ottawa announced forward Gabbie Hughes as its fourth protected player. She joins forward Emily Clark, defender Ronja Savolainen and goaltender Gwyneth Philips as the club’s only untouchables through the expansion process.

Seattle and Vancouver’s exclusive signing window closes on June 8 at 5 p.m. Each team is allowed a maximum of five signings during this period, with Seattle currently at three and Vancouver at four.

Ever since the league announced it was expanding in April, Maschmeyer was one of the first players assumed to be joining one of the two new clubs. After an injury in March cut her season short, 24-year-old Gwyneth Philips stepped into the starter’s role and dominated en route to a PWHL final appearance, making Maschmeyer even more expendable.

Still, she was undoubtedly Ottawa’s MVP in the first half of the season, posting a 2.58 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 18 appearances.

“Emerance is quite simply one of the best in the world at her position and Vancouver is fortunate to have a goaltender and Olympian of her calibre between the pipes to launch our inaugural season,” Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey said in a statement. “Her veteran leadership, relentless compete and poise under pressure are contagious qualities that our team will feed off of and will give us a chance to win every game.”

On a team already loaded with stars, including defenders Claire Thompson and Sophie Jacques from the Minnesota Frost’s championship team, and forward Sarah Nurse from the Toronto Sceptres, Maschmeyer will likely have more defensive and offensive support than she ever had with Ottawa.

“Joining Vancouver is an incredible opportunity and I’m thrilled to be a part of such an exciting chapter of the league’s expansion,” Maschmeyer said in the league’s press release. “Vancouver has proven to be a vibrant hockey city and I’m thrilled to play in front of such passionate fans. I’m aligned with Cara’s vision and values and honoured to have the opportunity to help build this organization’s culture from the ground up.”

As one of Ottawa’s three foundational signings in 2023 alongside Emily Clark and Brianne Jenner, Maschmeyer became a fan favourite in the community with her strong fan engagement and lively personality.

Serdachny, who was one of Ottawa’s newest members after becoming Ottawa’s top draft pick last summer, also was widely expected to be on the move.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to join PWHL Seattle,” Serdachny said in a league press release. “I am eager to contribute to building a remarkable legacy for this incredible city.”

The Colgate University graduate and 2023 Patty Kazmaier Award finalist failed to live up to her draft pedigree in her rookie season, scoring just two goals and six assists in 30 games for Ottawa.

Meanwhile, Sarah Fillier, taken first overall by the New York Sirens, tied for the PWHL scoring lead and is a forward of the year candidate.

That said, Serdachny’s usage as a fourth-line forward throughout the playoffs was a microcosm of the responsibility she was entrusted with in her rookie season. In an expanded offensive role, possibly on a line with PWHL leading scorer and MVP finalist Knight, Serdachny could finally tap into the potential that Ottawa originally hoped for last summer.

“Danielle is a tremendous addition to our group,” Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a league press release. “She’s strong, plays through contact and she’s only beginning to tap into her full potential. Her ability to possess the puck and make plays under pressure will be a big asset for us as we build the identity of PWHL Seattle.”